Olaus "Jerry" Gerald Thorson

About Jerry

On Sunday, October 1, 2023, Olaus Gerald Thorson passed away peacefully in his home in Bemidji surrounded by his wife and family at the age of 86.

He was born on December 25th, 1936 at the Farm House in Bagley, MN to Mother, Ragna (Lund) Thorson and Father, Thor Thorson. Dr. Bjornby and midwife, Guro Olson, assisted in his grand entrance into the world. Olaus and his four brothers (Thelmar, Arvid, Lyle, and Gary) grew up on the farm North of Bagley, also known as BS Valley, working hard and occasionally getting into some mischief.

He attended grades first through eighth at County School District 34, known as the Lofthus School, and attended Bagley High School for two years. On December 28th, 1953, three days after his 17th birthday, Olaus enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He began his 24 years of service for the United States Military attending Boot Camp in Great Lakes, IL.

Olaus (Jerry) married Jean Fultz and they had four children together Rhonda, Wayne, Katherine, and Ricky. Jerry’s family traveled with him all over the United States and to parts of Eastern Asia throughout his military career in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force from 1954-1978.

Following his retirement in 1978, Jerry and his family settled in Bemidji where he worked at Northwest Mechanical for 2 years, Northwood Panel Board for 10 years, and the VFW post for 3 years. Jerry is a life member of the VFW, D.A.V, American Legion in Bagley, and Eagles Club in Bemidji. He was a member of the firing squad for the VFW for many years and enjoyed driving his Model-T in multiple parades for 15 years.

Jerry married the love of his life, Marilyn (Hegg) in November of 2005 and enjoyed the later years in his life in Bemidji with his wife and pets.

Gerald was a proud veteran and loved spending time with family and friends, gardening, feeding the birds, tinkering on his many projects, flying his airplanes on the computer, dancing, listening to country music, watching old westerns, drinking coffee, playing cards and dice, working on his coin collection, telling stories and jokes, and sharing Norwegian phrases.

Olaus “Jerry” “Gerald” “Papa Ole” Thorson brought joy and laughter everywhere he went. He was a genuinely kind soul filled with love and fun and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

A special thank you to the Homecare and Hospice nurses that cared for him.

Olaus is survived by his wife, Marilyn Thorson, children, Rhonda (Phil) Koller, Wayne (Sandy) Thorson, stepdaughter, Vicki Furer, daughter-in-law Pam Thorson, many, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his children, Rick Thorson and Kathy Thorson, parents Ragna and Thor Thorson, brothers, Thelmar Thorson, Arvid Thorson, Lyle Thorson, and Dennis Thorson, stepsons, Brian Hegg and Wade Hegg.

memorial service

Funeral Services for Jerry

October 6, 2023

Zion Lutheran Church 39998 Zion Rd, Bagley, MN 56621, USA

Rev. Theresa Gerhrke-Herwynen will be officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery in Bagley with military honors.

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Cease Family Funeral Home